Lesson 83: Blade Runner 2049 - Time and Time Again (Spoiler)
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, zip up their collared jackets and head to the post-apocalyptic future of Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Denis Villenueve’s gorgeous sequel to Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece starring Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, Jared Leto, Ana de Armas and Sylvia Hoeks. From the cinematography to the score, and everywhere in between, there’s a lot ...
1hr 13m Oct 11, 2017
1hr 13m
Lesson 82: Blade Runner - I know You Noir But What Am I?
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, prep for this weekend’s most anticipated release with a throwback review of Blade Runner (1982), Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Darryl Hannah and Edward James Olmos. Based on Philip K. Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”, the film stands tall as one of the most beloved examples of dystopic fic...
1hr 15m Oct 04, 2017
1hr 15m
Lesson 81: Mother!: I just Killed A Man!
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome Spencer Williams and get confused about their own existence during this week’s review of Darren Aronofsky’s new film, mother! (2017), starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer. As critical and public responses continue to indicate, this is a film that easily provokes and confounds its audience regardles...
1hr 19m Sep 27, 2017
1hr 19m
Lesson 80: Kingsman: The Golden Circle (Review)
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, don their bespoke suits and dress it up for this week’s review of Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), starring Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. With guest starring turns from Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal and Jeff Bridges - not to mention a series of cameos from Elton John - the film marks the first seque...
1hr 7m Sep 20, 2017
1hr 7m
Lesson 79: Espionage Etiquette 101
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, dabble in a bit of spycraft with this week’s overview of the thrilling genre of spy movies. From some of Hitchcock’s greatest works to prominent franchises featuring marquee characters like James Bond, Jason Bourne and even Dom Torreto, we’re taking a look at the compelling and secretive world of espionage on film. In movie news, we celebrate ...
1hr 9m Sep 13, 2017
1hr 9m
Lesson 78: It - The "King-dom" Has Arrived
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, face their fears with a review of It (2017), a new adaptation of Stephen King’s killer clown novel. Coming on the heels of the lackluster adaptation of another Stephen King novel, The Dark Tower (2017), does this outing prove to be more engaging? Also, how does it compare to the 1990 television mini-series starring Tim Curry as Pennywise?
57m Sep 06, 2017
57m
Lesson 77: The Hitman’s Bodyguard - Hilarity in vulgarity
The Filmlosophers discuss the hilarity of vulgarity in The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017), the bromantic action comedy you’ve heard so much about starring Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds. The profanity-laden film follows two highly trained specialists—one an assassin, the other a private bodyguard—trying to overcome an aggressive team of mercenaries and reach the international criminal court at ...
1hr 6m Aug 23, 2017
1hr 6m
Lesson 76: Detroit - The Familiar Disease of Hate
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome guest commentator Wendy Day for a reflective review of Detroit (2017), directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith, Jacob Latimore, Anthony Mackie and many more. The film recounts the horrifying events that transpired at the Algiers Motel in the midst of the summer of 1967, when racial tensions boile...
1hr 7m Aug 16, 2017
1hr 7m
Lesson 75: The Dark Tower - Target Practice
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, venture into the realm of modern myth-making with their review of the much anticipated film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower (2017), starring Idris Elba as Roland Deschain, the Gunslinger, and Matthew McConaughey as Walter O’Dim, the Man in Black. After spending many years stuck in development hell, was the new film from director Ni...
1hr Aug 09, 2017
1hr
Lesson 74: Women: A Necessity in the Industry - Discussion
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome frequent guest and outspoken advocate Laura Sirikul for a timely conversation about the growing influence of women in film, both on and behind the screen. As the number of female-led stories continues to expand and roles open up for women in prominent leadership roles behind the camera, what are some indicators of meaningful progress.....
1hr Aug 02, 2017
1hr
Lesson 73: Dunkirk Review and SDCC Recap
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, share thoughts on Christopher Nolan’s taut, tense new film, Dunkirk (2017), which interweaves multiple narratives to depict one of World War II’s most intense stories of struggle and triumph. After nearly two hours spent in near-constant suspense, what impact did the tight shots, resonant sounds and epic aerial dogfights have on our delicate p...
1hr 18m Jul 26, 2017
1hr 18m
Lesson 72: War for the Planet of the Apes - Review
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, head deep into the motion capture wilderness of Matt Reeve’s War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) starring Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson and Steve Zahn. As the Simian Flu continues to transform the planet, how will that impact the tense interactions between sentient apes and humans who fear being supplanted as the dominant species on the plane...
1hr 10m Jul 19, 2017
1hr 10m
Lesson 71: Despicable Me 3 - The Real Villain
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, embrace their darker side with a review of Despicable Me 3 (2017), wherein reformed villain Gru, voiced by Steve Carell, considers going back to his dastardly evil days after parting ways with most of his Minions and meeting his twin brother Dru, also voiced by Steve Carell, for the first time. This third installment marks a turning point for ...
55m Jul 12, 2017
55m
Lesson 70: Spider-Man: Homecoming (Spoiler)
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, join with Sacramento's best cosplayer, Trenton Brewer, to relive the hormone-infused days of high school with a spoiler-filled recap of Spider-man: Homecoming (2017) starring Tom Holland, Michael Keaton and Robert Downey Jr. With a flurry of nods to the other films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this latest take on the friendly neighborhood...
1hr 11m Jul 05, 2017
1hr 11m
Lesson 69: Baby Driver - A Ride Like No Other!
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, test drive Edgar Wright’s critical darling, Baby Driver (2017). Starring Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx, the film centers on a young wheelman named Baby as he navigates his roles as criminal, foster son and boyfriend. The inventive film showcases much more than a series of car stunts, with a distinctive soundtr...
1hr 7m Jun 28, 2017
1hr 7m
Lesson 68: Transformers: The Last Knight (Spoiler Review)
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, don’t need to dive very deep for this review of Transformers: The Last Knight (2017). Allegedly the final directorial turn for Michael Bay in this franchise, the film stars Mark Wahlberg, Sir Anthony Hopkins and a host of characters that blur together in the latest bit of Bayhem. In industry news, the team relays news of directorial changes on...
1hr 3m Jun 21, 2017
1hr 3m
Lesson 67: The Book of Henry (Spoiler Review)
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, take a crash course in child prodigy psychology for Colin Trevorrow’s latest project, The Book of Henry (2017). Starring Naomi Watts, Dean Norris, Sarah Silverman and newcomer Jaeden Lieberher, the tale offers a unique take on the mentality and influence of a young genius while asking serious questions about the responsibilities of parents and...
1hr 14m Jun 14, 2017
1hr 14m
Lesson 66: Pirates of the Caribbean Saga - Sink or Swim?
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, take to the seven seas for six pieces of eight and a shanty song for the Pirates of the Caribbean film saga from Walt Disney Studios and Bruckheimer Films. From The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) to Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), the franchise has at turns entertained, disappointed, delighted and confused moviegoers while reinvigorating the c...
1hr 7m Jun 07, 2017
1hr 7m
Lesson 65: Wonder Woman - Review
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, journey back to the days of World War I for a review of the highly anticipated new DCEU film Wonder Woman (2017) from Patty Jenkins. Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, David Thewlis and more, the film marks the second appearance - and first solo outing - of the most popular female superhero in comics.
54m May 31, 2017
54m
Lesson 64: Alien: Covenant - Promises Broken
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, head to the stars for a review of Ridley Scott’s newest film, Alien: Covenant (2017). Starring Michael Fassbender in a dual role and new characters played by Katherine Waterston, Danny McBride and Billy Crudup, among others, the latest installment is a successor to Prometheus (2014) - but does it do its job in terms of leading into the origina...
1hr 7m May 24, 2017
1hr 7m
Lesson 63: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, pull sword from stone and rack up some hit points in this week’s review of Guy Ritchie’s mythbusting King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017), starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou and Eric Bana. With a new, streetwise take on one of Western literature’s most recognizable figures, and a series of sequences that seem plucked straight...
1hr 2m May 17, 2017
1hr 2m
Lesson 62: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Gunn’n It!
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome back Trenton Brewer and Sacramento cosplayer Marquis Sweat-Keaton to turn on the Walkman and get in the groove on all things Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 (2017). With five mid- and post-credit scenes and the presence of both Tango and Cash (Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell), there’s a lot to love in this sophomore outing from Ja...
1hr 10m May 10, 2017
1hr 10m
Lesson 61: Guardians of the Galaxy - Cosmic Surgery
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome back frequent guest Hannah Porter to prep for this week’s Marvel Studios release with a fun, feisty review and dissection of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), the MCU gambit that paid big dividends. With the sequel set to make a Milano-sized haul at the box office this weekend, what were the elements of the first film’s success?
1hr 2m May 03, 2017
1hr 2m
Lesson 60: Summer Blockbusters Revisited
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, play mad scientist and try to dissect the anatomy of a summer blockbuster while also diving deep into the economics of moviemaking in this special edition report. What traits make a film predisposed for box office success, and how has the influence of foreign markets impacted the moviemaking practices of Hollywood executives? In movie news, we...
1hr 4m Apr 26, 2017
1hr 4m
Lesson 59: The Fate of the Furious - Time to "Rock" the Boat!
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, blow it up (like the record-setting global box office haul) with this week’s review of The Fate of the Furious (2017), starring Vin Diesel, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Charlize Theron, Tyrese, Ludacris, Jason Statham, Kurt Russell and several others. How did the crew fare without Paul Walker, and what did/didn’t work about Dom Torreto’s double-...
1hr 3m Apr 19, 2017
1hr 3m
Lesson 58: Power Rangers - Moody Morphin Time!
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome long time fan and movie enthusiast Marcus Hunter and Sacramento’s own cosplay extraordinaire Trenton Brewer for this week’s review of Power Rangers (2017). The film reboots the prolific children’s television show from the 1990s with a new take on Jason, Billy, Kimberly, Zach and Trini, and how they come to acquire their powers. Featuri...
1hr 8m Apr 12, 2017
1hr 8m
Lesson 57: Ghost in the Shell - An Empty Husk
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome back Val Complex and Nerd Reactor’s Laura Sirikul back to the round table for week’s review of Ghost in the Shell (2017), the controversy-laden anime adaptation directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Scarlett Johansson in the role of an Asian woman who has been transformed into a cyborg and is working for a paramilitary arm of the gov...
1hr 14m Apr 05, 2017
1hr 14m
Lesson 56: Life - No Intelligence Found
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, head for stars with this week’s review of Life (2017), the creature feature set aboard the international space station and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson. Does the film represent an evolution of the sci-fi monster genre, or does it leave you floating in space awaiting something more? In movie news, we discuss news...
1hr 1m Mar 29, 2017
1hr 1m
Lesson 55: Beauty and the Beast - A Tale Retold
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, jump from animation to live action adaptation for this week’s review of Beauty and the Beast (2017), the long-anticipated film starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad and Kevin Kline. With a robust cast of VFX characters voiced by Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Emma Thompson and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, the...
1hr 2m Mar 22, 2017
1hr 2m
Lesson 54: Kong: Skull Island - Review
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, head to a remote jungle island in the 1970s for this week’s review of Kong: Skull Island (2017), starring Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson. Pretty much everything’s huge in this movie, and several sequences borrowed more from the Universal Studios ride than previous King Kong films. With effects from Industrial Light and Magic...
1hr Mar 15, 2017
1hr
Lesson 53: Logan - Review (Spoiler)
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome VideoGameBANG! hosts Cory Vincent and David Webb for an in-depth review of Logan (2017), allegedly the last ride of Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart in the X-Men film franchise. What worked? What didn’t? And how did we feel about that pre-credits Deadpool teaser? The crew also celebrates ONE FULL YEAR of podcasting - that’s right, we’v...
1hr 8m Mar 08, 2017
1hr 8m
Lesson 52: Oscars Roundup
Filmlosopher Chad Riley welcomes back frequent collaborator Hannah Porter to hash through the ups and downs of the 2017 Academy Awards show. Who won, who lost, and who saw that ending coming? Whether you’re in Camp Moonlight or Camp La La Land, you surely felt all the feels. Not to mention all of the subtle and not-so-sly political references, an odd interruption from a group of Hollywood touri...
55m Mar 01, 2017
55m
Lesson 51: Award-worthy Performance Styles
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome first time guest Mikhail for a star-studded romp through Oscars past and present, with an in-depth comparative analysis of Academy Award and SAG Award winners from the past 16 years. How on-point are the SAG Awards when it comes to predicting Best Actor and Best Actress Oscar winners, and what types of performances tend to feel the lov...
1hr 9m Feb 22, 2017
1hr 9m
Lesson 50: The Tale of the "Other" Franchise Pt. 2
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome first time guest Ljan Ordiz and returning DC fan Omar Marroquin for part two of our candid conversation about the “other” franchise: the DCCU. From the established films in the franchise, including Batman vs. Superman (2015) and Suicide Squad (2016), to our predictions about the forthcoming Wonder Woman (2017) and Justice League (2017)...
1hr 9m Feb 15, 2017
1hr 9m
Lesson 49: Fences - Breaking Down the Walls
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome pop culture writer and critic Kristen Lopez for a spirited review of  Denzel Washington’s Oscar-nominated film, Fences (2016). Co-starring Viola Davis in a powerful dramatic turn, the film is up for multiple Academy Awards on February 26th including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. In movie...
1hr 6m Feb 08, 2017
1hr 6m
Lesson 48: Hidden Figures - Truth Revealed
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, take a calculating look at Oscar contender Hidden Figures (2016), starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe. The film tells the story of three brilliant African-American women who helped renew confidence in NASA at the start of the Space Race by serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history. Hidden F...
1hr Feb 01, 2017
1hr
Lesson 47: Split - A Film with Personality
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome Nerd Reactor’s head movie reviewer Mark Pacis for a psychoanalysis of M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film, Split (2017). Starring James McAvoy, Split digs deep into the psyche of a man with Dissociative Identity Disorder whose multiple personalities are in conflict over the pending arrival of a new persona.The crew also breaks down this y...
1hr Jan 25, 2017
1hr
Lesson 46: La La Land - For the Love of the Genre
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome returning guest host Hannah Porter and our friend John Eick for a fanciful review of Golden Globe-winning La La Land (2016). Directed by Whiplash (2014) runner Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, La La Land brings the nostalgic glamour of classic Hollywood musicals into the modern day with a fetching jazz score to...
1hr Jan 18, 2017
1hr
Lesson 45: DC - The “Other” Franchise - Part 1
The Filmlosophers are a Chad short tonight, as Eddie Villanueva is riding solo at the helm, ready to land this ship of awesome conversationalism...oh, and he’s not alone! Along for the ride is first time guest, and die-hard DC fan and aficionado, Omar Marroquin,to get neck deep in discussion about the “other” franchise! We’ll discuss his fandom with DC, and what some of the misconceptions are i...
59m Jan 11, 2017
59m
Lesson 44: Most Memorable Films of 2016!
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, spend the first episode of the new year with Nerd Reactor’s Laura Sirikul to take a trip down memory lane and share their most memorable films of 2016. With some of the biggest box office receipts - and some of the biggest flops - on record, which flicks stood out as particularly impressive? Which ones do we wish we could erase from our memori...
1hr 24m Jan 04, 2017
1hr 24m
Lesson 43: Sing - Please Don't Stop the Music
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, debate whether Illumination Entertainment’s new film, Sing (2016), hits a high note or falls a bit flat. Sing features a stellar vocal cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Taron Egerton, Scarlett Johansson, Tori Kelly and Seth MacFarlane. News items include the death of “Princess Leia” actor Carrie Fisher and a first look...
1hr 9m Dec 28, 2016
1hr 9m
Lesson 42: Spectral - Ghost of a Chance
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley dissect the new Netflix-Legendary release, Spectral (2016). Originally meant for theatrical release, the final cut brings a cinematic visual quality to the original content format through the streaming service. Starring James Badge Dale, Emily Mortimer, Max Martini and Bruce Greenwood, the film follows a team of soldiers and scientists who are ...
1hr 14m Dec 21, 2016
1hr 14m
SPECIAL FEATURE: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (SPOILER REVIEW)
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome VideoGameBANG co-host David Webb and Oblivion Comics & Coffee co-owner Laura Benson for a no-holds-barred, spoiler-rich review of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Good guys, bad guys, massive battle sequences and a number of familiar faces left a strong impression on the crew, and we're excited to share our review straight from the...
1hr 3m Dec 16, 2016
1hr 3m
Lesson 41: Nocturnal Animals - The Science of Sleeplessness
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, delve into the noir-esque critical darling Nocturnal Animals (2016), starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal in a film directed by fashion designer Tom Ford. Featuring supporting turns from Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the film explores themes of love and loss within an intricate storyline that bridges fiction and reality. News ite...
1hr 3m Dec 14, 2016
1hr 3m
Lesson 40: The Science of a Holiday Movie
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, break down the essential building blocks of your favorite holiday films. If making a Christmas movie follows a certain formula, what are the components of that formula (and do your favorite December flicks fit the mold or break it)? News items include an Ocean's 8 (2017) casting announcement and new movie trailer reactions for Cars 3 (2017), G...
58m Dec 07, 2016
58m
Lesson 39: Movie Holiday Wishlist!
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, kick off holiday season 2016 with a "wish list" of their most anticipated December films in a variety of categories, from comedy and drama to auteur flicks and genre options. Beyond obvious choices like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Assassin's Creed (2016), La La Land (2016) and Sing (2016), did your faves make the cut? News items inclu...
1hr 9m Nov 30, 2016
1hr 9m
Lesson 38: Moana - Changing Tides
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, review Disney's Moana (2016), a non-Pixar animated tale with a colorful cast of characters and a distinctly mythological bent. Featuring song lyrics from Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring newcomer Auli'i Cravalho as Moana alongside Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as demigod Maui, the film offers a refreshingly modern take on the well-hon...
59m Nov 23, 2016
59m
Lesson 37: Arrival - Language of Emotion
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, engage in a deep discussion of Denis Villanueve's masterful new film, Arrival (2016). Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker, Arrival features a strong emotional subtext and exceptional work in sound editing, cinematography, writing and directing. In addition to the film review, the gents react to a week full of new movie traile...
1hr 3m Nov 16, 2016
1hr 3m
Lesson 36: Classroom Discussion - 13th
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome entertainment journalists Val Complex and co-host to Sacramento's largest gaming podcast, Aaron Carter, for an important discussion about the latest documentary from critically acclaimed filmmaker, Ava DeVernay, titled 13th. While you won't hear a typical "review" of the film here, you will learn much from this engaging discussion abou...
1hr 12m Nov 09, 2016
1hr 12m
Lesson 35 - Doctor Strange
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, share a spoiler-light review of Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange (2016) starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The latest MCU film features some trippy visuals and has received criticism for some of its casting decisions. Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts, or does its ambitious stance leave the story feeling fragmented in various segments o...
1hr 5m Nov 02, 2016
1hr 5m